Sugar Loaf and mould: 17th century

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Sugar Loaf and mould from the London-area. In February 1538 the King's Council attempted to curb the steep rise in the price of sugar, but by 1541 the price had risen to 8d a pound, and by 1543 to 9d and 10d the pound. Most of the sugar eaten by Londoners came from Morocco and the first sugar refineries in England were built in London in 1544. Archaeological evidence for sugar-refining in London is represented both by a late 16th century plant at Ratcliffe in East London - probably the earliest refinery in England to be uncovered - and more widely from the distinctive vessels used in the process. Several large concentrations of conical sugar moulds have been uncovered, notably in the Fleet Valley, and also in Southwark and again alongside the Thames on the north bank.